Outreach Services

We at St. Elizabeth always work on “Active Transformation” of ourselves and our community. We believe we are uniquely located at the corner of Broad and Chestnut Streets where we illuminate our community.

Central to our ministries proclaiming the love of Christ Jesus in meaningful and practical ways. One important way this translates into action is to be an intervening agent in ‘the school-to-prison pipeline that dominates our community. A second critical area focuses on social justice issues that impact the poor and mostly-undocumented immigrants who enter the United States through the great City of Elizabeth each year.

Among the many programs, we offer:

Adult Computer Literacy

A significant part of the Mission of St. Elizabeth Church is to provide educational activities that will enable individuals the opportunity to develop economic self-sufficiency. This is the motivating reason St. Elizabeth implemented a Computer Literacy & Employment Readiness Program for the residents of our community. 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

At St. Elizabeth’s, the ESL program is dedicated to Haitian refugees who arrived in the U.S. following the devastating earthquake. To date, we are serving over 60 participants from various diverse nationalities such as Africa, Turkey, Iran, Ecuador, Uruguay, Haiti, and El Salvador. The purpose of the ESL program is to increase English language proficiency by helping individuals develop their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. St. Elizabeth is now working with employers throughout Union Counting and members of Union County College where our students are transitioning into working positions as well as pursuing higher educational opportunities. 

Flea Market

St. Elizabeth’s Flea Market is located on N. Broad and Chestnut Street creating entrepreneur opportunities for many in our community providing fresh starts. We have a diverse group of vendors with products such as clothing, music, antiques, toys for children, tools and kitchenware, books and so much more.  If you are interested in becoming a vendor attending St. Elizabeth’s outdoor Flea Market please contact our Main Office at (908) 289-0681 to reserve your spot.

Mentoring for Teenage Mothers 

This outreach is championed by our Episcopal Church Women (ECW) to provide household items and toiletries, mentoring and counseling services to teenage mothers who currently reside in a community home in Elizabeth.

Operation Warm Heart

In partnership with other churches in the Elizabeth Coalition, we serve as a monthly host site during the winter months for homeless individuals in need of shelter, food, and clothing. Each winter the program serves well over 100 individuals in Operation Warm Heart and has been able to effect lasting changes in many lives. The Coalition provides intensive case management in order to move clients from the streets to more traditional shelters, with the goal of permanent housing with social support. This is also a shared ministry of the two congregations as well as with the Elizabeth Coalition.

Thanksgiving Meal 

Every year we provide thanksgiving meals for multiple families in our community through donations of grocery and canned goods.

Toys for Tots

Every year we collect toys to bring the joy of Christmas to under-privilege children in our community during the birth of Christ celebration.

Other opportunities to engage the community include regular hospital and prison visitations, International Food Festival, Advent luncheon, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, youth events, jazz festivals, gospel concerts, St. Joseph’s Library, and prayer breakfasts hosted by the Episcopal Church Woman and Men’s Club.